IGNITE Magazine 2016 No. 2 (July-December) by ADRA Philippines

ignite T H E M AG A ZI N E OF A D RA PH I LI PPI NES VOLUME 2 NO. 2 (JULY-DECEMBER 2016)

A Winning Woman How a mother is rallying her community towards a better future

contents

NEWS It has been a busy year for ADRA Philippines and some of the most important events and activities are summed up here!

11 COVER STORY Women in Iloilo are leading the way towards saving for the future and improving their financial well-being

FACTS & FIGURES Numbers that speak of the hard work that ADRA is doing in the Philippines

FEATURE The newest ADRA project in Camarines Sur has kicked off and is already transforming communities for the better

TESTIMONIALS Community-based organizations under the REAP Project speak about their experience in partnering with ADRA

INTERVIEW We chat with the ADRA team behind the implementation of the REAP Project in Iloilo to learn a thing or two about dedication and patience

STAFFBOX Editor/Design/Layout

Arjay Arellano

ignite

Supervising Editor

Tom Pignon

MAGAZINE VOLUME 2 NO. 2 JULY-DECEMBER 2016

Contributors

Jose Orozco

Mary Kathleen Loyola

Jordan Venton-Rublee

All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of ADRA Philippines.

adraph

@adra_ph

ADRA Philippines

welcome

t is with pleasure that I introduce our year-end issue of IGNITE – the magazine of ADRA Philippines. My hope is that this magazine will not only give you a greater awareness of the work of ADRA but also a glimpse into the lives of people that we are working to serve. 2016 has been a year of transition in our program and staffing. This year we said goodbye to Denison Grellmann, our Country Director, as he took up a new role as the Chief Executive at ADRA New Zealand. Denison has been instrumental in our growth over the past few years and it was with sadness that we said farewell to a friend, colleague, mentor and leader. We’ve appreciated the support of Mark Schwisow, who has supported us for three months during this transition. Mark has now returned to his role as Country Director for ADRA Cambodia. Earlier this year we successfully concluded our three-year livelihood project, Sustainable & Resilient Agribusiness Development in Mercedes, located in Camarines Norte and funded by ADRA New Zealand and the New Zealand government. By the end of 2016, we also will conclude our two-year communitybased DRR project, in which we have worked closely with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church across the Philippines. It’s been a privilege to work closely with our church partner to reach communities and build their resilience to future disasters. But it has also been a period of new beginnings as we started a four-year project in Camarines Sur in partnership with ADRA Canada and Global Affairs Canada. EMBRACE (Enhancing Maternal, Child and Newborn Health in Remote Areas through Revitalized Health Care and Community Engagement) aims to significantly reduce preventable stunting and maternalchild mortality in Camarines Sur, as well as in Cambodia, Burma, and Rwanda through our network partners. We look forward to bringing you more news as the project progresses.

In September we also had our inaugural Fun Ride and photo exhibit at Nuvali Evoliving. Our deepest appreciation goes out to all the cyclists who participated in this successful event to raise funds for our work. I’m excited that we can highlight the work of our REAP project in this issue. The Restoring, Empowering And Protecting (REAP) Livelihoods project in Iloilo is an example of how ADRA is working to support some of the poorest and most vulnerable in our society – fisherfolks, farmers and women. This project is also a strong example of how we can have our greatest impact when working in partnerships – with local government, universities, the private sector and through community-based organisations. We are working closely with our implementing partner, World Renew, to reach those trapped in chronic poverty and highly exposed to climatic risks. Thank you for your support and partnership in our mission. We humbly pray that you will continue to lift us in prayer as we serve God through our work so that he will be glorified in the lives we are reaching.

TOM PIGNON

Program Director/Officer-In-Charge

field notes The day was closing when I decided to take a walk by the beach in Bato, Leyte. It was low tide, and the sun was beautifully setting in, when I spotted these three children walking on the very shallow water. One of them was dragging a fish net while the other two picked shells from the sea. Against the peach sky, the children created a beautiful silhouette that reminded me why ADRA is working for the betterment of the present and future generation. -Arjay Arellano, Communication, Advocacy & PR Coordinator

snapshots

ADRA NEWS & EVENTS ROUND-UP

Wheelpower

ADRA Philippines recently put a spin on the word “willpower” and convinced dozens of bike riders to use their “wheelpower” to help thousands of communities affected by disasters. With an event called “Ride To Recovery 2016” on September 25, amateur and advanced bike enthusiasts rode through the rolling terrains of Sta. Rosa and Tagaytay, wearing custom-made jerseys that heralded the words “Love, Mercy, Justice.” ADRA Philippines is working with vulnerable communities affected by disasters in the country, providing early recovery assistance as well as long-term development projects that address livelihood, nutrition and health issues, among others. The bike ride aimed to raise greater awareness of these causes and ultimately increase public support for the organization’s current projects.

reynan dal-anay

Gallery of good

An image is worth a thousand words, and with its photo-video exhibit last September 25, ADRA Philippines got a chance to speak to numerous mall-goers in Solenad Mall, Nuvali about its advocacies, its projects, and the communities that it has helped throughout the country. The exhibit was held in tandem with ADRA’s “Ride to Recovery” event, providing a good look at the causes for which the fun ride raised awareness and support. The main photo gallery featured shots of these initiatives in action: from the far-flung communities that ADRA has successfully reached, to the beneficiaries of its programs and even scenes of community life. Meanwhile, a video screen gave visitors the opportunity to hear more about these initiatives firsthand, with the exhibit also showcasing short videos and interviews with different project stakeholders throughout the day. 5

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WATCH VIDEO “Ride To Recovery” Bike Ride 2016

Water for better

A total of 179 Rainwater Collector Units have already been constructed in Dagami, Leyte, as a support intervention for ongoing livelihood recovery activities under the Expanded Economic Recovery in Leyte (ERL) Project funded by ADRA International. This will assist the community to make use of rainwater for their respective income-generating activities, particularly for agricultural purposes like watering their backyard garden plants, and watering and sanitation of raised animals. If the plants are properly watered and there is regular sanitation of animals, there will be a good and stable harvest and production.

Tools of nutrition

Under the MASIGLAHI Project, ADRA Philippines partnered with the Leyte Provincial Health Office to conduct a two-day training for the improvement of the health information management system in Bato, Leyte. The program’s participants included barangay nutrition scholars, barangay health workers, and other key stakeholders. As further support for Bato’s nutritional information monitoring and management system, anthropometric tools and computer sets were also turned over to the Municipal Health Office and 11 initial beneficiary barangays. The project, which is funded by ADRA Canada and the Global Affairs Canada, aims to provide similar tools and equipment to Bato’s remaining 21 barangays by February 2017.

Continuing service

Two years ago, ADRA Philippines launched the Negotiating Ordinances and Reducing Incidents Through Systems and Knowledge (NO RISK) Project in partnership with ADRA donor offices from Australia, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Norway, and the Netherlands. Through the NO RISK Project, ADRA Philippines empowered the Adventist Community Service (ACS) to serve as certified disaster risk reduction partners for local government units (LGUs) across the country. Thirteen ACS chapters from Luzon and 5 units from Visayas have been accredited as certified community organizations on the provincial, city, or municipal level, with the process still underway for participating units from Mindanao. This official status places NO RISK’s partners in a better position to collaborate with their respective LGUs on future disaster risk reduction and management programs. Moreover, the accreditations also serve as a final target for the NO RISK Project, which wraps up this year.

Stories by Mary Kathleen Loyola Photography by Arjay Arellano

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7 IGNITE MAGAZINE JULY-DECEMBER 2016

JULY-DECEMBER 2016 IGNITE MAGAZINE

spotlight

Embracing changes

ADRA HAS STARTED ITS NEWEST PROJECT ON MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH IN THE PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR, WORKING SIDE BY SIDE WITH COMMUNITIES IN THE SOME OF THE MOST FAR-FLUNG AREAS IN THE REGION. SLOWLY BUT SURELY, THE PEOPLE ARE EMBRACING THE CHANGES THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.

Combatting Gender Stereotypes

encourages better healthcare for its women.

In early November the EMBRACE MNCH (maternal, newborn and child health) team travelled over land and sea to facilitate the last of the gender sensitivity trainings for the barangays selected this year. Situated at the entrance to the Pacific Ocean, the far-flung island barangay of Sumaoy has the highest rates of underweight children out of all the barangays receiving assistance for this year – and it is home to keen citizens looking to learn more about combatting this dire problem within their communities.

Nhes, a Barangay Nutrition Scholar in Sumaoy, is on the front lines of the fight against malnutrition on the island. Day to day, her job involves weighing children, deworming, providing vitamins and monitoring the overall health and nutrition of the youngest in the village.

Meeting in the island’s evacuation center, forty health leaders and community heads came together to learn how to address gender stereotypes within their own village. The training facilitated by the MNCH team centered on leadership, teambuilding and listening skills, as well as education around gender sensitivity. The aim was to break down harmful misconceptions and find ways to nurture more open and understanding environments. Trainings like these are a key part of the early work being done on the ground in the province of Camarines Sur.

WATCH VIDEO “Project EMBRACE”

At only thirty-eight, Ivy is both a mother and a grandmother – as well as one of the community’s recognized parent leaders since 2009. She reflected on the trainings, sharing that she had learned a lot over the course of the day, including skills that she intends to bring back to her family and young grandchild. “I’m really happy to learn and be a part of this group, especially now that I have a child and a young grandchild. […] I think I can apply the knowledge learnt today in both my parent groups and as a leader in my family, as a mother and grandmother.” Clearly, these skill-building trainings are one of the ways to address the impediments that keep the community’s pregnant women from accessing adequate healthcare. This is a daunting task to take on, since there are multiple factors barring pregnant women from accessing crucial care throughout the region. By breaking down harmful preconceptions about gender within project communities, the EMBRACE team hopes to pave the way for a community culture that

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She explained that she feels betterprepared now, and more selfconfident in her ability to carry out her work. Nhes even remarked that she may have held biases that she has never even thought about when it comes to gender. “It’s important for a facilitator to be gender-sensitive, to be aware of the feelings of those of the other gender.” One of the several men in attendance, Benal San Gabriel is a barangay captain. He noted that he was keen to bring the skills he learnt back to his family.

“I can see this training being helpful because it will empower me as a public servant in the community, and I can share it with my family and neighbours.” As one of the MNCH Officers who facilitated the training session, Glaiza Fabellon reflected on the fact that these skills and knowledge had been needed within the community. “It’s quite new to them, especially the gender-sensitive part, as I observed they are not really aware of the small ways we can disregard other genders.” These training sessions lay down an important building block for the overall goals of the EMBRACE project. By cultivating knowledge of key concepts amongst community leaders and healthcare personnel, these trainings create valuable spaces for independent learning within communities facing these health barriers, and equip them with important tools for the next stage of growth for the projects on the ground.

Wriggling toward a more sustainable future In the coastal community of San Jose, Victor Mendoza, a community leader, is spearheading a very interesting initiative. Mendoza is involved with worm farming, also known as vermiculture. His involvement in vermiculture is one of the ways this leader is looking to improve the community around him. It is the rainy season here in Camarines Sur, and the ground is damp and soft as Victor leads us around his small property. He shows off the small worm bed he has carefully crafted after much resourceful research. Wiggling around as he dug his hands through the soil were African Night Crawler Worms, hidden just below the surface of the bed. Victor lives with his wife, Laura, and his two children in a small home in the barangay of Dulo, San Jose - one of the four target areas of the EMBRACE project. Victor and his family have been living here for about 13 years, and to make money, the family cooks and sells food on the side of the road found not too far away from where they live. Victor previously held the position of barangay councilor, a position within the local government here in the Philippines. That sense of responsibility to his community has stayed with Victor, and it is a driving force for his deep interest in vermiculture. How did that interest start? Victor was looking for ways to bring in additional income for his family, hopefully through methods that would also improve the environment around him and his neighbours in this seaside barangay (community) located a ten-hour bus ride away from Manila. Tuning in on the TV one day, he learned of worm farming as a means of producing organic fertilizer. That was when he decided to get involved. Victor initially relied on the help of colleagues during his farming studies at a local university and stocked up on additional information through resources found on social media. Victor’s involvement in the project, both as a community leader and as a father, serves as a great example for the importance of households in the bid to improve health and nutrition in Camarines Sur. By championing key livelihood and agricultural skills like vermiculture, Victor and other local leaders can equip families with the necessary tools to combat the risk factors that affect women and children’s health in the region’s remote communities.

engage in vermiculture, because there is too much garbage,” Victor explains as he proudly shows us his worm bed. “One of my dreams is to produce vermi for the entirety of San Jose. And to encourage them to use it, especially in their rice production,” Victor goes on. He notes that worms produce some of the best organic fertilizer in the world, making vermiculture a more ecologically sound way for households to grow fruits and vegetables. The EMBRACE project in Camarines Sur is focused on improving maternal and child health in remote communities in this province. Many of the communities here see high rates of malnutrition, and EMBRACE seeks to answer the need both for greater access to nutritious food, and greater understanding of nutrition’s role in improving the lives of women and children within each community. “Encouraging the people around me is so important, because it can help them to eliminate their garbage. We can also help their finances,” Victor explains, as the worms wriggle around in his hands.

“I think ADRA is a blessing in this barangay, and I know that for the duration of their project, many people will be encouraged to participate and more people will apply the things that they have learned.” With a wide smile, Victor adds that he has big hopes for the work that EMBRACE will do here in San Jose. The project will be helping beneficiaries in the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Rwanda until 2020. The Philippine’s portion of the EMBRACE project is a multipronged partnership between ADRA Canada, ADRA Philippines and Global Affairs Canada. Story and Photography by Jordan Venton-Rublee

“It is my vision to help the people, not only in the barangay (community), but encourage the people all over San Jose to

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A Winning Woman TYPHOON HAIYAN DEVASTATED THE PROVINCE OF ILOILO AND LEFT MANY OF ITS POOREST RESIDENTS STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE. THE REAP PROJECT HELPS THEM BUILD A BETTER AND MORE RESILIENT FUTURE. THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, RESIDENTS LEARN VITAL SKILLS, GAIN FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND GET THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES. LEAH BRAGANZA HAS STEPPED UP TO THE CHALLENGE BY LEADING PUNTA BURI’S COMMUNITY CREDIT ASSOCIATION. HERE, SHE TELLS US ABOUT THE REAP PROJECT’S IMPACT ON HER AND HER COMMUNITY.

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WATCH VIDEO Leah’s TV interview

er eyes drop, tears begin to fall, and then she smiles. Leah cleans her face and looks at you with a resolve that gives you goosebumps. The softness that she speaks with does not go along with the strength of her words, and her small frame does not do justice to her gigantic efforts to overcome her challenges. She sits on the stairs that lead to her room; on the wall behind her is a picture of her late son. Leah Mae Braganza is 28 years old and the chairwoman of the Punta Buri ADRA livelihood association (PBAL), a Community Based Organization (CBO) focused on savings and credit. She leads the group of 14 in working together to overcome poverty and strengthen their livelihood. As the youngest in the group, she never expected to be elected; she didn’t see herself as a leader, much less the chairman of an association. “During the election, I didn’t vote for myself because I thought I was not qualified for that position. I just prayed to God, ‘Thy will be done.’ Imagine my surprise when I won. After that I have been praying for God to help me in order for our organization to grow.”

Walking into her humble yet spacious home, the first thing you notice is how organized and clean it is. The walls are adorned with paintings and pictures; everything is in place. Her daughter is wearing a beautiful dress and sporting a perfect ponytail. “Being a woman and being a chairwoman—at first it’s really hard for me because I have no time for my family because of the CBO. As time [went] on, I was able to fix it. Basically, the only thing I lacked was time management so that I could have time for my family and work as well.” In the beginning, she had a hard time getting everyone to buy into the program. “At first, I always fetch them and explain about the savings in order get their support, I was trying to be a good leader. But when our organization started growing and the savings increased, they were the ones who rarely waited for me.” She had to convince not just her colleagues about her position, but also her husband. “Now [my] husband is okay with it. At first he asked me if I was capable. He

asked if I’m sure about that position. I told him that I didn’t want it; they were the ones who chose me. Maybe God has a purpose for me being the chairwoman.” She says she works hard to prove to her husband and the PBAL members that she can do a good job. Aside from them, Leah also thinks of the project’s donors, hoping that they won’t be disappointed in the organization’s progress.

“I am just a simple woman and I haven’t had a dream of being so rich, getting riches or what to do to be rich. I only have a simple dream and that is to provide the needs of my children, be together, and live with a complete family.”

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Leah is a family woman; she lives for her husband and child. She wakes up at 4:30 in the morning to fetch water from the communal fountain. It’s not easy to find clean water on the island. She prepares breakfast for her husband and bathes her daughter. During the morning, she cleans her house, washes clothes and makes sure everything looks great. At noon, she prepares lunch for her husband who arrives hungry from work. Two neighbors come over to help her, and then the kitchen becomes a busy place. Leah doesn’t mind being busy; it makes her feel accomplished and up to the task. Living on an island, after all, is not easy: they depend on boats and the weather to be able to go to the mainland, where they find resources for their businesses or family. She knows everyone’s dedication to the CBO will make their lives easier. It will take hard work, but the benefits are great for them. Having savings or easy access to credit with low interest rates is something they would not find easily on their island or even in Ajuy (the closest city in Iloilo). At first they didn’t understand this, but now they see the possible fruits of the program and are eager to continue. For Leah, it gets personal. Sometimes, when things come close to the heart, they mean so much more than we can understand. On August 14, 2009, she gave birth to a boy two months before her due date and under stressful conditions, as a storm was coming and she had to go to the mainland for care. Her son was born weak, but she was happy he was well and loved him immensely. Last year, for reasons unknown to her, he died. He had always been weak, sick, and fragile, but they did not expect this to happen. “Yes, it may be hard for me as a mother because I took care of him for 7 years and

he was part of our dreams. I accepted the truth even though it’s hard and told myself, ‘Life must go on and I will never give up in order to succeed.’ Even though he’s not here anymore, he gives me strength every time I feel tired. He will always be in my heart. I believe our life here on earth is just temporary so it’s okay; at least I showed him how much I loved him. After that, we realized life must go on. We have to work for our savings and as a chairman in our organization, my presence is needed there; I don’t want it to be affected by my own problems.” Leah and her husband benefited from their savings and credits while covering the medical expenses of their child. Coming from poor families, they did not have financial support from their relatives; they only depended on their own savings. She also felt support from her PBAL friends, who always stood by her side during the difficult times. She believes her CBO can help more people in the community as it did her. As she looks at the picture of her son on the wall, her little two-year-old daughter is trying to get her attention. Leah smiles and stands up. She is really small but she acts like a giant. She promises that she will continue to help her community. She thanks ADRA and Global Affairs Canada for giving her the opportunity to strive for a better future. She has been through many hardships, but she has only emerged stronger. “I am just a simple woman and I haven’t had a dream of being so rich, getting riches or what to do to be rich. I only have a simple dream and that is to provide the needs of my children, be together, and live with a complete family.” Leah Mae Braganza is anything but a simple woman.

PUNTA BURI, AJUY

Story by Jose Orozco Photography by Arjay Arellano

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our stories

THEIR LIVES ARE BEING TRANSFORMED IN ILOILO THROUGH THE REAP PROJECT

am the secretary of the Fisher Folk Association (FFA) in Mangorocoro, Iloilo. I joined the association because I realized that it was time for me to understand what is really happening in my community and what the fishermen are feeling regarding their livelihood. Right after Yolanda, our houses and boats were destroyed, but worst of all, fishermen had a hard time catching enough fish for their families. For almost a month, they barely caught anything. In my 13 years living here, this was the worst thing that had ever happened to us. That’s why I believe in the FFA; we have so many plans that will help people recover and be prepared for another possible disaster. The FFA is only one year old, and it has been tough to get the 143 fisherfolk families to buy into the program. We had to convince them that it was for their own good, that it would strengthen their livelihoods and prepare them for hazards. We thank ADRA because without them, the FFA would not have materialized. With their seminars and training, they help us consolidate our association and present it to the community. ADRA has worked in our barangay since Yolanda. They have given us livelihood opportunities and also impacted the community as a whole. ADRA had a big part in improving the barangay and changing the people’s mentality. Here in Mangorocoro, when you say ADRA, people say there’s hope. When they hear ADRA, they smile and they are really happy. Everyone respects and recognizes ADRA. For them, ADRA is hope. - Leny Fernandez

uring Typhoon Yolanda, my house was completely destroyed and my church and school were severely damaged. We did not expect such force, we were overconfident and the news wasn’t accurate. Now I know that we must be ready for anything, so I created the Sariling Sikap Savings Group (SSSG). We created this organization to help our community, especially the ultrapoor. Before we started this people’s organization, we planned to tap ultrapoor families so that we can teach them how to survive and recover, especially in certain situations of our lives. As a pastor and as member of this community, it is my responsibility to do so. When ADRA presented how they can help us, we were happy. We got knowledge and ideas on how to establish our SSSG better for the wellbeing of the people. We have almost 70 members after only four months. At first, it was hard to change the mentality of the people, but now we continue to grow. We focus on values, health and livelihood; we also teach baking, garment-making and production of dishwashing liquid. People can buy P20 shares and also save five pesos weekly. They can retrieve their savings if needed for emergencies. We hope to keep growing and helping our community - from access to education to better financial practices for farmers and businesses. We are not only doing it for ourselves but also for the next generation—for our children and their children to come. ADRA is without a doubt making our community bettwe and stronger. -Eliseo Abunda

I am part of Punta Buri ADRA Livelihood

(PBAL) Association, our Community Based Organization (CBO) here in Punta Buri. With thirteen women and one man, we came together to help each other during hard times. Access to our island is not easy. We depend on the boats here to go to the mainland. Sometimes, we don’t have the money to pay. It is cheaper to buy things in Ajuy so we prefer to buy some supplies there. But before, it was difficult to go buy and come back; we were usually in debt. The savings and credit association is really a big help. When there is an emergency and we are in need, we can easily borrow money. We ourselves keep the box where we put the money. It is important that we maintain a level of trust towards each other. There are no banks here, hence borrowing money elsewhere is not a good idea because you become indebted. As a mother and wife I have many responsibilities. I have a child who is studying in college. So when it is time to pay the tuition and we do not have enough money, I can borrow money from our association. Though the amount we can borrow is not that much, still it buffers our needs. The trainings, seminars, and the support we have received from ADRA have been a really big support to our lives. We are thankful for this organization. They have been with us for the Haiyan recovery period and up to this day they are still working here. The people of Punta Buri and the whole of Ajuy will always be grateful for that. -Ana Rose Barroba

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Sowing a better future WE CHAT WITH REAP’S PROJECT MANAGER NAN CHO CHO THEL ABOUT THEIR EXCITING JOURNEY IN ILOILO AND HOW THE REAP PROJECT IS IMPROVING LIVES

What will be REAP’s most important contribution to the people of Iloilo? REAP’s most important contribution to the people would be building up the organizational capacity of CommunityBased Organizations (CBOs) so that they can have better access to livelihood assets and resources. The project empowers them to become cooperatives. This way, they can get out of the trap of unscrupulous loan sharks by promoting community-managed savings schemes (CoMSCA). The project is also promoting gender-sensitive and climate-adaptive livelihood technologies for fisherfolk and farmers’ associations so that they can stand against and/or bounce back from any natural/man-made uncertainties in life.

What has been the biggest challenge the project has faced during its early stages? CBOs are the entry point of this development project. However, CBOs are often inactive or weak in organizational capacity due to lack of technical support and resources. It is common for the farmers and fisherfolk in this area to form associations, but this is just to avail of benefits from the national government and/or from NGOs. There is almost no special purpose such as to plan and implement some sustainable development activities including community activities/services. 15

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“We are truly inspired to do this development project in collaboration with Haiyan-affected communities. So far it has been interesting learning about the people, their cultures, their livelihood cycle and challenges in their ways of making a living.”

What significant progress has the project achieved in 2016? REAP has reached about 1,500 CBO members from 34 targeted CBOs and trained them in gender-sensitive, resilient and sustainable fishing and farming technologies as well as in alternative and complementary skills. Ten (10) model farms related to the fishing/farming technologies were established. Out of 1,500, about 500 were selected for individual costshared livelihood inputs based on the eligibility criteria. Community-managed savings schemes have been promoted among these 1,500 CBO members, and REAP has been organizing about 60 CBO savings groups with a maximum of 25 members per savings group. Fifteen CBOs are being trained in organizational development, forming them into cooperatives and linking them with microfinance and other financing institutions, market and other social enterprises. As an essential complementary component, DRR plan development and implementation has been taking place in 28 barangays in the three municipalities.

What has been the most memorable experience(s) doing development work in this region? We are truly inspired on this development journey in collaboration with Haiyan-affected people. So far it has been interesting learning about the community, their cultures, their livelihood cycle and challenges in their way of making a living. Coordination with different stakeholders at a variety of levels is a mixture of learning about their roles, ways of communication, their possible contributions, as well as their constraints and utilizing them accordingly. In recognizing the different levels of skills, capacities and approaches each area has, REAP will never find itself lacking initiative and creativitiy in its approaches to make a change in the lives of the targeted communities within the life span of the project.

How do you feel the project has evolved since its beginning? We recognize that development projects are complex. The team has had to give lots of effort in the planning and implementation but we are happy with how we are moving forward. All this was achieved through lots of brainstorming, discussions, consultations and learnings. The hard work is paying off as we can now see a clear path to walk on and CBOs are also excited with the project.

Photography by Arjay Arellano

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“ I love finding inspiration ”

ADRA INTERN JOSE OROZCO LOOKS BACK ON 10 MONTHS OF “THE PERFECT JOB” AND FINDING HOME ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD. Photography by Arjay Arellano

t went by as a blur, 10 months to the day. I have to ask myself where it all went. It looked like such a long time, but now I look back and I see it wasn’t enough.

“I thank them for teaching me the value of gratitude.”

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Let me take you with me as I reminisce on this wonderful year here in the beautiful archipelago called The Philippines.

I was surprised when I arrived, I was expecting Asia to jump out as I landed but I weirdly felt at home. Traffic jams, hospitality, warmth and lots of food - it really felt like Colombia in a strange way.

It all started in November last year, when I found out that there was an opening in ADRA for an intern. It was the opportunity that I had been looking for; you know, travel the world and help people, the perfect job.

As the “culture shock” and jetlag wore off, I began to enjoy the Filipino experience. Work was a fun and educational experience. Plus, I got to travel and experience the Philippines up close and personal - all while working of course. I got to meet many friendly and awesome people, all of whom welcomed me as if I was just another Filipino.

For the next two months it was a waiting game, for confirmations, interviews and for the snow to melt. When the green light was given I was ecstatic, I was ready to go. After a brief visit to ADRA headquarters in the US, I was on my way, and 24 hours later I was on the other side of the world.

I have been to or through 20 provinces of the Philippines. I’m not bragging (maybe a little) but this goes to show how much of this incredible country I have experienced. To tell the truth, I feel at home here: the people, the work, the food and the natural beauty of this place just make you want to stay.

I spent my time interviewing people, writing their stories and sharing moments with them. I spent my time capturing smiles, scared faces (apparently I’m scary) and resiliency - and yes, you can see the resiliency in the faces of the people who have overcome typhoon after typhoon, fire after fire. I loved finding inspiration in these people who fight day in and day out and still have the audacity to thank me. I thank them for teaching me the value of gratitude. I will miss eating rice three times a day. I will miss riding in a jam-packed jeepney. I will miss being the biggest and tallest one around. I will miss being called “gwapo” and eating pan de sal. I will miss swimming in the crystal clear waters of Palawan. I will miss finding hidden paradises everywhere I went. Philippines, you got me; I will forever call you home. You may have taken my time, but I really don’t mind. Ingat po!

parting shot

“KAYOD KALABAW” This Tagalog phrase means “work like a carabao”. The carabao is the Philippines’ national animal and is a symbol of dedication and hard work. Carabaos are associated with farmers, and both are important characters of the Filipino agricultural life. In this photo, a farmer in Ajuy, Iloilo punctuates another day of labor with a tireless smile. Photography by Arjay Arellano

Donate The best and most tangible way for you to assist the vulnerable people that we serve is donating to ADRA. During disasters, your donation allows ADRA to provide hygiene items, food, shelter, or other essentials to people in need. ADRA conducts a Rapid Assessment and determines the most appropriate way to respond to the affected communities. We then contact preselected suppliers, purchase the necessary goods, and ensure that the most needy will receive them. This is done in consultation with the Philippine Government agencies, our Adventist Community Service (ACS) and local partners. You can also make a significant contribution by donating to longer-term development projects. These initiatives foster freedom from poverty and oppression (lasting changes) in partner communities through livelihood, nutrition/health, and other life-changing programs. 1) For donation inquiries, please email finance@adra.ph 2) For Direct Deposit: Bank: Philippine National Bank Account Name: Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Account Number: 210545300019 Branch: Silang Address: J.P. Rizal Sabutan, Silang, Cavite, Philippines 4118 Identifier Code: PNBMPHMM Bank: Philippine National Bank Dollar Account Account Name: Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Account Number: 210492400021 Branch Code: 156315 Branch: 1665 Silang Branch RBU

3) For Credit Card payment, you may donate through www.paypal.com

Thank you for your financial support!